The Transport Security Administration is a homeland security agency that oversees public travelling safety in the United States. The organization came into existence after 911 terror attacks. The agency chiefly concerns itself with air travel in airports by employing screening procedures, federal air marshals and mobile dog teams to foster airport safety and avert any likely onslaught. Recent heated debates have surfaced on whether TSA has been performing is role effectively. However, credible recent findings have provided evidence that despite having some achievements, TSA has not been entirely effective in providing airport security.
One of the agency’s strengths its ability to screen a huge number of travellers each day at more than 450 airports across the United States. TSA has registered an achievement due to its ability to undertake checks using its nearly 50,000 TSA officers national wide. Approximately 1.7 passengers have been screened everyday thereby leading to confiscation of more than 1,100 fire arms from the airline travellers. For example, in one month’s period, TSA officers impounded five loaded handguns from passengers at the salt Lake airport which marked one of the TSA’s achievements since its inception. In two instances also, TSA seized hand grenades that were concealed in two carry-on bags.
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In 2018, TSA screened 813,721,287 passengers which was a record breaking number. During the same year, the agency impounded more than 4,200 arms with 86% of the guns being loaded. TSA found a python hidden in a passenger’s hard drive and a dud motor round. At one instance, TSA retrieved a missile launcher from a passenger’s bag.
After its formation by George Bush, TSA has successfully conducted campaigns which have significantly raised airport security awareness. The Transport Security Agency campaigns were focused on turning passengers from being passive to proactive travellers. Over time, TSA has exhorted travellers in all airports to sound alarm in the event of an unusual happening. For instance, some travellers wearing shoe and underwear bombers were subdued by seatmates who reported them to TSA officers thereby averting a likely hijacking which would have resulted to passenger fatalities. Remarkably, the United States, through the security offered by TSA, has not reported a single instance of a plane loss since the dreadful 911 terror insurgency.
One of the TSA weaknesses is its failure to detect smuggled weapons and drugs. Covert tests carried by department of homeland security showed that in almost 80% of all the time, TSA has failed to detect explosives, weaponry and drugs ( Tonar & Talton , 2019). In 2015, TSA registered a 95% margin failure on one of the tests conducted by homeland security department thereby indicating a daunting weakness in upholding basic security standards by TSA.
One of the resource management technique that TSA should invest in is the use of reinforced cockpit doors. The method is an effective approach in thwarting aircraft hijackers. The technique is affordable and does not stir passenger inconvenience. Ram Resource Management is a technique that TSA can deploy in training its officers on the effective utilization of equipment and information to optimize passenger and flight safety in airports across the United States (Muecklich, Ruff-Stahl & Sikora, 2019). As a third measure, TSA should adopt CLEAR program which is a technology that addresses identity verification. The method employs biometrics and enhances identity screening ( Tonar & Talton , 2019). Forth, big data and data analytics would serve an effective resource management technique that can significantly improve TSA’s operation’s effectiveness by adding an extra security layer.
A month ago, I was traveling to Moscow from the US when I had a candid interaction with TSA officers. I noted that the agency had a diverse workforce and respected the co-existence of diverse cultures. I believe that passengers and workers from different cultural backgrounds should not be mis-handled due to their inclinations. I noted how TSA would embrace the perspective which was a positive gesture. I congratulated the officers for the dignity and respect demonstrated and the inclusion of diverse workforce across the airports national wide.
References
Muecklich, N. G., Ruff-Stahl, H. J. K., & Sikora, I. (2019). Pilot study: measuring attitudes toward ramp resource management—the influence of national culture. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering, 8(2), 40.
Tonar, R. and Talton , E. (2019). Is the TSA really necessary? https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellistalton/2019/01/28/is-the-tsa-really-necessary/#15e266aa25e0 .
